Jeff Bezos Denies Polymarket Claim, Rekindling Debate Over Fake News on Betting Platforms Camila Grigera Naón

Polymarket has become embroiled in a scandal regarding a social media post it made about Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The prediction market claimed he had recently recommended younger entrepreneurs to work regular jobs before starting a business.

Jeff Bezos quickly refuted the claims. The exchange resurfaced concerns over prediction markets’ reiterated use of social media to disseminate unverified news and misinformation.

Polymarket Post Draws Jeff Bezos Rebuttal

On Thursday, Polymarket published an X post breaking the news that Bezos recently advised “aspiring Gen Z entrepreneurs” to start their careers working at “real-world jobs” like McDonald's or Palantir before starting a business.

Hours later, the Amazon founder replied to the post, claiming he had never made such a claim, and wondered what prompted Polymarket to make up such a statement.

The public response gained traction almost instantly, with the post spreading across X and other platforms within minutes. Screenshots circulated widely, and many users treated the claim as a confirmed statement before Jeff Bezos had a chance to respond. This rapid spread highlighted how quickly unverified claims can shape public perception when attached to a high profile name.

Amid the scrutiny the exchange quickly drew, a video surfaced of Jeff Bezos delivering a talk at the Italian Tech Week, in which he offered advice to younger entrepreneurs. However, the conversation took place nearly three months ago, and Bezos mentioned neither of the companies referenced by Polymarket.

“I always advise to young people— go work at a best practices company somewhere, where you can learn a lot of basic fundamental things,” he had said, adding, “I started Amazon when I was 30. Not when I was 20. That extra 10 years of experience actually improved the odds that Amazon would succeed.”

While the original statement focused on experience and timing, many critics argued that Polymarket’s framing altered the meaning in a way that made it more provocative. By attaching specific companies and a generational label, the post appeared designed to attract engagement rather than accurately reflect the source material.

The events this week stood out because Jeff Bezos explicitly took the extra step of denying Polymarket’s claims.

Such direct rebuttals from business leaders are relatively rare, which is why the incident drew attention beyond the usual crypto and betting circles. When influential figures respond publicly, it often signals that reputational harm or misinformation has crossed a line that cannot be ignored.

At the same time, the track record of prediction markets spreading misinformation to their social media audiences has been a growing concern.

Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi have faced increased scrutiny for publishing breaking news that distorted events or was outright false, spanning topics from sports betting to geopolitical tensions.

Social media users were quick to point out specific examples.

Critics argue that the incentive structure of prediction markets encourages speed over accuracy. Because attention drives participation, platforms may benefit from posting bold claims before facts are fully verified. Once corrected, the original post often continues circulating, while clarifications receive far less visibility.

Do Prediction Markets Amplify Global Misinformation?

In recent weeks, international tensions have risen sharply. Examples included the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, widespread protests in Iran, and clashes between the United States and European countries over the prospect of buying Greenland.

Such events have introduced a flurry of bets across prediction markets. These platforms have also used social media to publish related alerts that did not accurately reflect reality.

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Polymarket

Jeff Bezos

Amazon

Prediction Markets

Misinformation

Social Media

Crypto News

Tech Industry

Entrepreneurship

Online Betting

Market Ethics